GM Holden Celebrates 60th Anniversary with Concepts through the Ages at Adelaide Motor Show

GM Holden will showcase six historic concept vehicles and a comprehensive line-up of soon-to-be released and current Holden models when the Adelaide Motor Show opens this week.

The stunning Coupe 60, which recently made its world premiere in Melbourne, will take centre stage on the Holden stand, while five celebrated Holden concepts, including the Torana TT36, ‘Marilyn’ Monaro convertible, HRT427, Sandman Panel Van and the award-winning EFIJY, will be showcased together in a separate display.

GM Holden will also preview two unreleased Sportwagon models in Calais V and SS V guise, and special edition anniversary models of the VE Commodore and Captiva to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Australia’s own car, the Holden 48-215.

Powered by a 6.0 litre V8 engine incorporating the latest technologies including active fuel management and calibrated for E85 ethanol fuel (not currently available for purchase in Australia), Coupe 60 explores the limits of Holden’s current rear-wheel drive capabilities, combining racing looks and technology in a road going sportscar experience.

EFIJYThe acclaimed EFIJY showcar will today make its return to Adelaide Motor Show, after it turned heads there just two years ago.

A long-term dream for Chief Designer Richard Ferlazzo, the EFIJY concept was developed as a collaboration with suppliers which reduced impact on the company’s heavy work schedule and ensured the highest possible quality result for the showcar.

This mid-sized hatch concept was intended to demonstrate to a worldwide audience the strength and versatility of Holden's design talent and emphasise its ability to react swiftly to meet changing market demands.

Marilyn Monaro ConvertibleThe 'Project Marilyn' convertible Monaro was an engineering study built to evaluate the possibility of a convertible coupe based on Holden's previous generation V-car platform. Although production costs prevented this good looker from hitting the streets, 'Marilyn' provided Holden with valuable information on future model feasibility.

HRT427A joint project between Holden and Holden Special Vehicles (HSV), the HRT427 was first shown in 2002. The high-performance closed-circuit racer features a 7.0-litre V8 racing engine based on the Le Mans-winning C5R Corvette powerplant.

Sandman Panel VanThe Sandman Panel Van is GM Holden's light-hearted retro tribute to the iconic Sandman surfmobile of the seventies and was created in collaboration with surf and streetwear company, Mambo. Its 'Bushfire' custom paint finish, beach and bush goddess murals complete with native fauna and luxurious rear 'chill out zone' attracted plenty of attention when it was first shown in 2000.

PRODUCTION MODELS

VE SportwagonWith production of the all new VE Sportwagon soon to begin in Adelaide, GM Holden will display a Sportwagon SS V in Voodoo (aqua blue metallic) and Calais V in Karma (dark jade green metallic).

With a recommended retail price only $1,000 more than its sedan equivalents, the VE Sportwagon line-up offers a new level of comfort, safety and styling in a Holden wagon, combined with sedan-like ride and handling characteristics.

VE Sportwagon will be available in the full range of VE Commodore variants including Omega, Berlina and Calais, plus the sporty SV6, SS and the range topping SS V and Calais V models.

Specifications will be in-line with VE sedan variants with ESP® and six airbags as standard with the added bonus of rear park assist across all models.

VE CommodoreHolden will display two new 60th Anniversary Commodore Special Edition models, the VE Commodore 60th Anniversary Special Edition and the VE SS V 60th Anniversary Special Edition.

Based on the Omega, the VE Commodore 60th Anniversary Special Edition is fitted with $8,000 of extra value, including:

New 18-inch alloy wheels (four)

Onyx leather seat inserts

Leather steering wheel

Decorative moulding on instrument panel in micro silver

Front grille insert

Rear parking sensors

Bluetooth® connectivity for compatible mobile phones

Special ‘60th Anniversary’ rear badge

The VE Commodore 60th Anniversary Special Edition is on sale 1 May and has a recommended retail price of $33,990*.

In addition to the standard SS V, the VE SS V 60th Anniversary Special Edition includes the following features:

20-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels (four)

Colour Satellite Navigation

Rear parking sensors

Chrome surround exterior door handles

High mount rear spoiler

Special ‘60th Anniversary’ floor mats

Special ‘60th Anniversary’ rear badge

The VE SS V 60th Anniversary Special Edition is on sale 1 May and is priced at $55,290*.

The Holden stand also features some of the increasingly popular high-end Commodore models, including the sporty SV6 and range-topping Calais V.

All VE Commodore sedan models are fitted with Electronic Stability Program (ESP®), air conditioning and six airbags as standard.

VE Ute

Launched late 2007, VE Ute is Holden's first completely new ute design since the VU series in 2000. It offers more features, more useable interior space, greater storage flexibility and more performance than any of its Holden predecessors.

The new VE Ute has been strengthening Holden’s position at the premium sports end of the ute market and offers enthusiasts of this Australian icon new levels of comfort, performance and safety with ESP® as standard.

CaptivaIn its first full year of sales, Captiva was the third best selling model in the highly competitive Medium SUV segment in 2007. The introduction of a diesel variant in March last year proved popular with customers, accounting for more than half of Captiva sales in the last three months of the year.

Based on the Captiva LX, the Captiva 60th Anniversary Special Edition includes the following:

The Captiva 60th Anniversary Special Edition is on sale 1 May and is priced from $43,990* for the petrol variant and $44,990* for the diesel variant.

GM Holden’s display includes the Captiva 60th Anniversary Special Edition and the sporty five-seater MaXX.

WM Caprice

Holden’s top-of-the-range V8 flagship, the WM Caprice, is also on show combining space and luxury with performance and handling.

Standard features include a Bose premium audio system, remote control three-screen DVD with roof console, and a tri-zone electronic climate control system with foot level ducting to the rear compartment.

Rodeo

The powerful turbo diesel Rodeo on show features several design enhancements and increased braked towing capability.

The 3.0-litre VCDi common rail engine delivers 25 per cent more peak power while meeting strict new Euro IV emission requirements. Peak power of 120kW is achieved at 3600rpm and peak torque of 333Nm is achieved at 1600rpm (automatic) and 360Nm at 1800 rpm (manual)**.

All 4x4 turbo diesel variants now have a 3000kg braked towing capability, which represents an increase of 500kg on manual variants and 1000kg on automatic variants.

Epica

GM Holden’s new mid-size sedan, Epica, will be on display with its generous interior space, excellent standard specifications and stylish fit and finish.

Epica is available in two variants (CDX and CDXi) with a choice of either a 2.0 or 2.5-litre in-line six cylinder engine, depending on model. Epica’s impressive fuel economy (ADR081/01) is 8.2 litres/100km for the 2.0-litre manual variant and 9.3 litres/100km for the 2.5-litre automatic.

These cars will be joined by the Astra CD Five-Door Equipe and the Astra TwinTop which brings retractable hard top technology to the small convertible market at an accessible price.

Complimenting the small car range, the Viva hatch and Barina three-door and sedan models will be on display, with levels of standard equipment that represent outstanding value for money.

Holden Vehicle Display – Adelaide Motor Show 2008:

Coupe 60

EFIJY

Torana TT36

Marilyn Monaro Convertible

HRT427

Sandman Panel Van

VE SS V Sportwagon

VE Calais V Sportwagon

VE Ute SS V

VE Commodore 60th Anniversary Special Edition

VE SS V 60th Anniversary Special Edition

VE SV6 sedan

VE Calais V sedan

WM Caprice

Captiva 60th Anniversary Special Edition

Captiva MaXX

Rodeo LT 4x4 Diesel Crewcab Pickup

Epica CDXi

Astra CDX wagon

Astra TwinTop

Astra SRi Turbo

Astra CD Equipe 5dr hatch

Viva 5dr hatch

Barina 3dr hatch

Barina sedan

The Adelaide Motor Show will run from Wednesday 2 April until Sunday 6 April. ESP® is a registered trademark of Daimler Chrysler AG *Excludes dealer delivery and Government charges. Available while stocks last. ** Power and torque figures quoted in DIN